BEIJING, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The chance for a breakthrough in world's efforts to seal a legally binding deal on curbing global warming remains slim as a result of the current European debt crisis and U.S. reluctance to take bold actions to fight climate change, analysts say.
After rounds of lengthy talks failed, people began to question the possibility of cutting a binding deal on fighting climate change in a few years: "Are the conditions right at this very moment? Would it make sense right now?" they wonder.
Following the Copenhagen conference, analysts say some down-to-earth appraisal of the situation is needed as the goal of reaching such a deal seems so far away, especially given the current debt crisis in Europe and Washington's noncommittal stance on the issue.
Eileen Claussen, president of the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, told audience at a Brookings Institution seminar "I would never say there is no chance of getting it this year, but I think the chances are painfully small."
